DON JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT
4731 Southwest Lakeview Drive
Florida, 33870
Highlands County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5)
Based on 5 health inspection reports
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All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 4/7/2025
High Priority
4
Intermediate
2
Basic
6
Total
12
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards on the cook line are grooved.
- 33-19-4:Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed boxes and two bags of garbage on the pad behind dumpster.
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on the door handle of an oven in the back of kitchen area. Repeat Violation
- 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing signs in the two men's bathroom, two women's bathroom and one other bathroom located next to the kitchen.
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid.
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed in walk in cooler a pot of black beans and a pot of pinto beans without a lid or cover, owner removed from cooler. Corrected On-Site
- 41-07-4:High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed neosporin cream on the shelf with canned food, owner moved. Corrected On-Site
- 01B-01-4:High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two cans of chipotle that were dented on the can racks in the kitchen area, owner discarded. Corrected On-Site
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk in cooler raw ground beef stored over shredded mozzarella cheese, owner moved to different area. Observed in reach in cooler raw chicken was stored over sour cream, owner moved to different shelf. Corrected On-Site
- 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee in a prep area touching his pants without changing his gloves and not washing their hands and was returning to prep area owner stopped the employee, employee washed hands and changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed rice in the hand washing sink in back of kitchen, owner cleaned the sink. Corrected On-Site
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed a container of marinated chicken and a container of marinated steak in the walk in cooler without a date mark on it. Repeat Violation
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/7/2025 revealed 12 total violations (4 high priority, 2 intermediate, 6 basic).
Inspection on 3/28/2025
High Priority
0
Intermediate
0
Basic
2
Total
2
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 36-34-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed the ceiling vents in the back kitchen rusting. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
- 14-11-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed a shelf in the back kitchen with thick rust holding clean equipment. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 3/28/2025 revealed 2 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 2 basic).
Inspection on 1/23/2025
High Priority
1
Intermediate
4
Basic
9
Total
14
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed the ice machine with a black mold like substance inside and the sliding doors with heavy algae. Warning
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed the ceiling vents in the back kitchen rusting. Warning
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drinks on prep table and next to food on shelves. Warning
- 13-07-4:Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees cooking food with watches and bracelets on. Warning
- 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed a shelf in the back kitchen with thick rust holding clean equipment. Warning
- 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Warning
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed the floor around the soda fountain heavily soiled. Warning
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handles. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hoods and hood filters with excessive grease build up in the prep kitchen. Warning
- 01D-08-5:High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Operated stated he has the letter but could not find it or obtain it while I was present. Warning
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed a soiled can opener. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Warning
- 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed some illness reporting firms completed but not all. **Corrective Action Taken** Warning
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed marinated chicken, cut salmon and house made sauces without a date marked in the walk in freezer. Warning
Food safety inspection conducted on 1/23/2025 revealed 14 total violations (1 high priority, 4 intermediate, 9 basic).
Inspection on 2/20/2024
High Priority
2
Intermediate
1
Basic
6
Total
9
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
- 51-11-4:Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed small CO2 tank at outside bar not secured.
- 28-02-4:Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Observed soda gun holster not connected to drain line and draining on to drain boards of 3 bay sink at bar..
- 13-07-4:Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed waitstaff with bracelets.
- 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed ice scoop holder rusted and paint peeling.
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed heavy food debris on floor on walk-in freezer.
- 03D-02-5:High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed taco ground beef (48F - Cooling) cooked day before not cooled to 41F within 6 hours, in cooler overnight. Operator discarded see stop sale.. Repeat Violation
- 01B-02-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed taco ground beef (48F - Cooling) cooked day before not cooled to 41F within 6 hours, in cooler overnight. Operator discarded see stop sale.
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed Island Oasis drink mixer with old food debris on inside blender cover and white growth on machine just above cover.
Food safety inspection conducted on 2/20/2024 revealed 9 total violations (2 high priority, 1 intermediate, 6 basic).
Inspection on 10/12/2023
High Priority
1
Intermediate
2
Basic
1
Total
4
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 24-05-4:Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed spoons and other kitchen utensils stored with food contact surface up at clean dish storage. Manager inverted. Corrected On-Site
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salsa (48F - Cold Holding)at waitstation container is 10 to 12 inches deep and only bottom of container is on contact with ice. Operator had more ice added to quickly cool to 41F or colder. Corrected On-Site
- 12A-03-4:Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed cook wash hands in 3 bay sink with dirty dishes stored in bays. Manager redirected employee to handsink. Corrected On-Site
- 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed two spray bottles one with clear liquid and one with red liquid not marked with common name and hanging on end of 3 bay sink. Manager labeled. Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 10/12/2023 revealed 4 total violations (1 high priority, 2 intermediate, 1 basic).